Mother’s Day is a holiday born in the wake of war’s carnage. It was first celebrated by the grassroots in 1870 before becoming an official U.S. holiday in 1914.

With our country again engaged in devastating and costly wars abroad and many of our own communities torn apart by violence, it’s time for Mother’s Day to return to its roots as a day to reflect on the reality of war through a mother’s eyes. We can now restore the promise of this holiday in accordance with Julia Ward Howe’s original proclamation: “Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.”

Join Veterans for Peace Chapter 111, the Green Party of Whatcom County, and the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center on Saturday, May 13 at 1 p.m., as we gather for an afternoon of peace and community. After brief remarks outside Saturday's Farmers Market, the holiday event will conclude with a solidarity march through downtown Bellingham, ending with a free concert at the Karate Church (Maple and High streets).

The Karate Church is wheelchair accessible, with nongendered wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.

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Contributors

We invite the WPJC community to contribute fact-checked submissions on local, national and global current events. Linking to original sources and articles is required. Submissions may be sent to office@whatcompjc.org for review.